How far are Canada and Mexico willing to go toward the construction of a continental security system?

North American relations have undergone profound changes over the last 15 years. NAFTA not only created the biggest trading bloc in the world; it was also a catalyst in the conceptualization of the continent as an integrated region. Whereas, prior to 9/11 relations remained primarily at the economic level, the attacks on the U.S. unleashed a new dynamic in North American relations that has seen a significant increase in cooperation in a large number of areas, including security. It remains to be seen whether a new security perimeter encompassing the three countries will emerge. But momentum toward greater collaboration and further integration appears to be afoot. Because of the enormous economic dependence on their mutual neighbour, both Canada and Mexico will need to cooperate with the U .S. on security matters given its importance since 9/11. Ongoing analysis of the evolution of security relations in North America and the impact on Mexico and Canada will therefore not only be likely to continue, but will be necessary. This book aims to contribute to this endeavour.

Jordi Díez is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Guelph, Canada, and Research Associate with the Defence Management Studies Programme, Queen's University. He is author of Political Change and Environmental Policymaking in Mexico (2006) and co-author, with Colonel Ian Nicholls, of The Mexican Armed Forces in Transition (Strategic Studies Institute, January 2006).

AcknowledgementsAcronymsIntroduction: Mexico and Canada in a Changing North AmericaJordi Díez1. Sharing the Wealth? Economic Development, Competing Visions and the Future of NAFTADuncan Wood2. Homeland Security in North America: From NAFTA to the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North AmericaRaul Benítez Manaut and Carlos Rodríguez Ulloa3. Canada and Mexico on the Security Front: A Possible Relationship?Marla Cristina Rosas4. Mexico: The Security ChallengeJorge Chabat5. Challenges to Civil-Military Relations in the 21st CenturyRoderic Ai Camp6. Canadian-Mexican Military Relations: A Reflections PieceIan NichollsNotesContributorsIndex